User interface technique for managing an active call

ABSTRACT

A portable electronic device includes a housing, a processor supported by the housing, a memory coupled to the processor, and a communications transceiver coupled to the processor. The transceiver is configured to support voice conference calling between more than two parties. A program stored in the memory and running on the processor is configured to provide a user interface on the display which is configured to display indicators representative of the parties on the conference call. The user interface includes the hold area configured to display indicators representative of the parties on hold and an active area configured to display indicators representative of the parties active on the conference call.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/981,510, filed Oct. 17, 2001, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Handheld computing devices, “palmtops,” “palmhelds,” personal digitalassistants (PDAs), or handheld computers typically weigh less than apound and fit in a pocket. These portable electronic devices generallyprovide some combination of personal information management, databasefunctions, word processing, and spreadsheets as well as communicationsnetwork connectivity, internet connectivity, voice memo recording, andtelephony functions.

Handheld computing devices may include a wireless telephony devicepermitting the user to make wireless communications such as mobiletelephone calls or data downloads or uploads to a computer network. Itis conventional to employ a touch pad, touch screen, or handwritingrecognition area and/or device to provide input to the handheldcomputer. If no dialing device such as a keypad is included, the usermay use the touch pad, touch screen, or handwriting recognition area tocontrol the wireless telephony device.

Ways in which handheld computers may permit wireless phone calls withoutthe use of a conventional telephone keypad include using the touchscreen to select the numbers from those displayed on the screen, usingthe address book function of the device to choose the desired number tocall, and using a voice recognition system. Other ways can includedialing numbers from web pages or other helper applications.

A handheld computer that includes wireless telephony capability alsorequires the ability to manage the phone calls. The management of asingle call is straightforward, but efficient management of multiplecalls, in particular calls on multiple lines and conference calls,requires more sophisticated call management functionality.

The functions supported by a particular handheld computer with wirelesstelephony capability may correspond to an international standard such asGlobal System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standards set forth by theEuropean Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). The GSMstandards may set forth the functionality required by the phone device,leaving it to the device maker to determine the most efficient userinterface.

Conventional cellular phones having a hard keypad and small screen maysupport the call management functions set forth in various internationalstandards. However, traditional cellular phones typically have acumbersome method of managing calls because the user is limited to anon-touch screen display and twelve button keypad. Performing astraightforward function such as adding a new caller to an ongoingconference call can involve a series of key presses that are not readilyapparent to the user.

Conventional wireless telephony devices that include a graphical userinterface with touch screen display allow some improvement over the callmanagement capabilities of classic cellular phones. These devices mayhave icons that permit the user to place callers on hold, add newcallers, conference two callers together, or swap between phone lines.However, these devices may not support the full functionality requiredby GSM standards, and-further do not typically provide a relativelystraightforward graphical user interface for accessing call managementfeatures.

Therefore, there is a need for a handheld computer with wirelesstelephony capability that supports the full call managementfunctionality set forth in international standards for digital cellulartelecommunications systems while also having a user interface thatpermits efficient and easy to understand operation of the various callmanagement functions.

The teachings herein below extend to those embodiments that fall withinthe scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether they accomplishone or more of the above-mentioned needs.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment relates to a portable electronic device having ahousing, a processor supported by the housing, a memory coupled to theprocessor, and a communications transceiver coupled to the processor.The transceiver is configured to support voice conference callingbetween more than two parties. A program stored in the memory in runningon the processor is configured to provide a user interface on thedisplay that is configured to display indicators representative of theparties on the conference call. The user interface includes a hold areaof the display configured to display indicators representative ofparties on hold and an active area of the display configured to displayindicators representative of the parties active on the conference call.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of managing aconference call on a handheld mobile telephone device. The methodincludes the steps of displaying to a user a screen including a new calloption, initiating a first call at the request of a user, and placingthe first call on hold at the request of a user and placing an indicatorrepresentative of the first call in a hold section of the display. Themethod further includes the steps of displaying to a user an availablesection of the display including a new call option, initiating a secondcall at the request of a user by selecting the new call option, andplacing an indicator representative of the second call in an activesection of the display.

Further, an exemplary embodiment relates to a user interface for a radioenabled handheld computer display screen that includes a first screenportion providing a first indicator representative of a first call of aconference call and a second screen portion providing a second indicatorrepresentative of a second call of a conference call. A user selectableoption is configured to effectuate movement of at least one of the firstindicator to the other of the first and second screen portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary front elevation view of a handheld computer;

FIG. 2 illustrates a basic call management user interface screen for ahandheld computer;

FIGS. 3A-3E illustrate screens associated with the management of asingle call with a handheld computer;

FIGS. 4A-4G illustrate screens associated with the management of twocalls with a handheld computer; and

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate screens associated with the management of threeor more calls with a handheld computer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a portable electronic device, shown as, but notlimited to, handheld computer 100 is depicted according to an exemplaryembodiment. Handheld computer 100 may include Palm style computersmanufactured by Palm, Inc., of Santa Clara, Calif. Other exemplaryembodiments may include Windows CE handheld computers, or other handheldcomputers and personal digital assistants, as well as mobile telephones,and other mobile computing devices.

Preferably, handheld computer 100 includes memory, a processor, andinteractive hardware and software that performs functions such asmaintaining calendars, phone lists, task lists, note pads, calculatorapplications, spreadsheets, games, and other applications capable ofrunning on a computing device. Further, handheld computer 100 may beconfigured for such functions as voice memo recording and playback aswell as communications network connectivity, internet connectivity andwireless telephony.

Handheld computer 100, depicted in FIG. 1, includes a plurality of inputfunction keys 112 and a display 114 having graphical user interfacefeatures. Display 114 may be provided with a touch screen interface thatallows a user to select and alter displayed content using a pointer,such as, but not limited to, a stylus, a pen tip, a fingertip, or otherpointing devices.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in an exemplary embodiment, display 114 alsoincludes a Graffiti™ (or other handwriting recognition software) writingsection 118 for tracing alpha-numeric characters as input. A pluralityof input icons 116 for performing automated or preprogrammed functionsmaybe be provided on a portion of display 114.

In an exemplary embodiment, handheld computer 100 may include anintegrated antenna 120 configured to transmit and receive wirelesscommunication signals, such as, but not limited to, cellular telephonecommunication signals and other radio frequency (RF) communicationssignals. A communications transceiver (not shown) may be coupled to theprocessor to support such communications. Antenna 120 may furtherinclude an indicator light 122 integrated into antenna 120 forindicating the transmission and reception of wireless communicationsignals. Further, light 122 may be used to indicate other states ofhandheld computer 100.

In an exemplary embodiment, handheld computer 100 also includesnavigation buttons 124 that may be utilized for navigating or scrollingof information displayed on display 114. Further, navigation buttons 124may be programmed for other uses depending on the application running onhandheld computer 100.

Handheld computer 100 may be used for any of a variety of wirelesscommunications, including, but not limited to, communications with theWorld Wide Web, mobile telephone communications, e-mail communications,etc. In an exemplary embodiment, a user may use the wirelesscommunication function by interacting with display 114. Ways in whichdisplay 114 can be used include using a stylus to select numbers on adisplayed keypad, selecting numbers from an address book, or havingpreprogrammed numbers associated with input icons 116.

Handheld computer 100 may also include a conventional telephone keypadpermitting manual entry of numbers by depressing keys rather thaninteracting with the touch screen display 114.

In embodiments in which handheld computer 100 includes wirelesstelephony capability, an interface is required to permit the user toperform the various phone-related functions available on the device. Onemethod of providing the user interface for call management may includepresenting the user interface on display 114. FIGS. 2-5 depict thevarious screens associated with the call management user interface of anexemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary screen that can be used for callmanagement is depicted, showing the baseline state when no calls areactive. In an exemplary embodiment, this information is displayed ontouch screen display 114. Display 114 may include a battery gauge 202that shows the battery level of handheld computer 100, a signal strengthicon 204 that indicates the signal strength of the phone, and aplurality of other navigation icons 206 that permit the user to navigateto other displays. A speaker icon 208 permits the user to adjust thevolume of the device, and a mute button 210 permits the user to mute themicrophone. An add call button 212 permits the user to initiate a newcall.

The screen depicted in FIG. 2 is divided into two portions, an upperportion shown as upper bucket 200, and a lower portion, shown as lowerbucket 201. Upper bucket 200 and lower bucket 201 are used to logicallydivide information displayed on exemplary screens in FIGS. 2-5. FIG. 2includes no caller information in either upper bucket 200 or lowerbucket 201 because there are no active calls. Upper bucket 200 and lowerbucket 201 may be labeled “line available” to indicate the availabilityof two phone lines, each corresponding to one of the buckets 200, 201.

In the wireless phone embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2-5, handheldcomputer 100 can include two lines available to host wireless phonecalls. A single line may support a conference call and therefore behosting multiple calls, although only one line can support a conferencecall at a given time. Bucket 200 and bucket 201 each display informationcorresponding to a different one of the phone lines. The division ofinformation into buckets 200 and 201 aids the user in call management aswill become apparent with the description of FIGS. 3-5.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3E, a number of exemplary screens depict the callmanagement user interface for handling a single call. FIG. 3A depictsthe baseline screen shown in FIG. 2, where the user may depress the addcall button 212 to initiate a new call. Placing a call to a particularparty can include choosing a name from an address book, tapping numberson a displayed keypad, writing numbers into writing section 118 (seeFIG. 1) using a stylus, or using a voice recognition system. Tapping theadd call button 212 will permit the user to choose the type of dialsequence desired for initiating the call.

In addition to tapping the add call button 212, another way ofconnecting to a new call is to receive an external call. When anexternal call is received by handheld computer 100, handheld computer100 will transfer the currently active call (if any) to on hold statusto permit user to receive the external call if a line is available. Inthis way, the reception of an external call results in a similarfunctionality to tapping the add call button 212. If a free line is notavailable, or if the user decides not to answer external call, the callwill be routed to voice mail.

FIG. 3B depicts the user interface once a single call is active. Thecall indicator phone number, name, or other identifying graphic) isdisplayed in upper bucket 200, while lower bucket 201 indicates that aline is available. A call timer indicating the elapsed time of the callmay be displayed as well. An end button 302 will disconnect the activecall.

Once a call is active, as depicted in FIG. 3B, a hold icon, shown as,but not limited to, hold button 304 will permit the user to place theactive line on hold as depicted in FIG. 3C. When the active line isplaced on hold, the screen will so indicate and a talk button 306 willappear (see FIG. 3C) to permit the user to move the on hold call backinto active call status as depicted in FIG. 3D.

If the user taps on a call identifier (e.g. identifier “2345678901”shown in upper bucket 200 of FIG. 3D), screen 3E will be displayed.Button 308 will permit the user to create a note to be stored in thememory of handheld computer 100. If a note is already present for theparticular contact associated with the call identifier, the previouslycreated note will be displayed. If the contact is not in the addressbook of handheld computer 100, the user may save the caller'sinformation to the address book. Redial reminder button 310 may be usedto set a redial reminder for the particular caller. Disconnect callbutton 312 permits the user to disconnect the call.

FIGS. 4A-4G depict the call management user interface for handling twocalls. FIG. 4A is similar to FIG. 3C and includes add call button 212that permits the user to use a dial application to connect a new activecall on the available line. Tapping add call button 212 automaticallyplaces the active call on hold (if not already on hold as depicted inFIG. 4A) to permit the user to place the new call, moving the callidentifier to lower bucket 201. The new call will be displayed in upperbucket 200 as shown in FIG. 4B, as upper bucket 200 generally displaysthe active line. Still referring to FIG. 4B, because both lines are inuse (one active, the other on hold), swap button 406 will be displayedbetween buckets 200 and 201. Tapping swap button 406 will swap the callssuch that the on hold call is swapped into the upper bucket 200 andbecomes active, and the active call is swapped to the lower bucket 201and is placed on hold as shown in FIG. 4C.

Referring to FIG. 4C, tapping conference button 404 moves the callcurrently on hold from lower bucket 201 into upper bucket 200. The callsare conferenced together on a single line permitting the user and bothcallers to all talk to each other. The graphic depicting this setup isshown in FIG. 4D. Because the on hold call from lower bucket 201 nowresides in upper bucket 200 with the previously active call, one of thetwo phone lines is again available. The availability of one of the twophone lines is depicted in FIG. 4D by labeling lower bucket 201 “lineavailable.” Rather than swap button 406, hold button 304 is againdisposed between upper bucket 200 and lower bucket 201. Tapping holdbutton 304 will move the entire active conference call into on holdstatus in lower bucket 201 as shown in FIG. 4E. The on hold callers cantalk to each other while in this state. Tapping talk button 306 willpermit user to again join conference call, as depicted in FIG. 4D.

While a conference call is active, as shown in FIG. 4D, the user may tapon one of the listed contacts to display a call actions screen, shown inFIG. 4F. FIG. 4F is similar to FIG. 3E with the exception that the usermay tap FIG. private conversation button 408 to extract a caller fromthe conference call line, thereby placing the conference call on holdand connecting the user with the individual caller. Tapping privateconversation button 408 brings up the screen depicted in FIG. 4G,wherein the remaining caller from the original conference call is onhold, depicted in lower bucket 201, and the contact on which the usertapped originally is in active conversation with the user, depicted inupper bucket 200. Note that FIG. 4G is similar to FIG. 4C in that swapbutton 406 is again displayed. Tapping cancel button 410 in call actionFIG. 4F will revert the user back to the original state of theconference call prior to tapping on one of the contact names.

FIGS. 5A-5D depict the user interface for managing more than twocallers. While a conference call is active on one line and the otherline is available, as shown in FIG. 5A, the user may depress add callbutton 402 to call a third caller. When the add call button 402 istapped, the active conference call is automatically placed on hold,depicted in lower bucket 201, and the new call is placed in active callstatus and depicted in upper bucket 200, as shown in FIG. 5B. With theconference call on hold and a single caller in active status as depictedin FIG. 5B, swap button 406 is displayed between buckets 200, 201 andmay be activated by the user.

Further referring to FIG. 5B, if the user taps conference button 404,the upper bucket 200 caller will be added to the ongoing conferencecall, which will become active, permitting the user to participate asdepicted in FIG. 5C. The conference call is depicted in upper bucket200. A line then becomes available for the user to add yet anothercaller by tapping add call button 402. Tapping end button 302 will endthe entire conference call. If the user taps add call button 402 anduses a dialer application to add another caller, the conference callwill be automatically placed on hold, depicted in lower bucket 201, andthe new caller put into the active call mode, depicted in upper bucket200, using the same steps as detailed with respect to FIGS. 5A and 5B.The user may then swap the active call and conference call or conferencethe active call into the conference call. If the user conferences thenew call into the ongoing conference call, there will then be fouractive calls on the conference call as depicted in FIG. 5D.

In an exemplary embodiment, handheld computer 100 may support aconference call including four callers on one line along with a separatecall with a single caller on another line. This functionality fullysupports GSM international standards, but may be subject to the supportlimitations of particular wireless carriers.

Regardless of how many callers are on a conference call, if the usertaps one of the contact identifiers listed, a call actions screen willbe called up similar to that shown in FIG. 4F to permit separating acaller from the conference call for a private conversation, ordisconnecting a single caller out of an ongoing conference call. Whenmultiple callers are on a conference call, display 14 will automaticallyreduce the font size for the contact names listed to support the largeramount of information displayed to the user.

The user interface discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2-5 is createdthrough the execution of software residing on hand held computer 100.The software used to effectuate the interface may be part of anoperating system, such as PALM OS, or may be a program loaded separatelyonto handheld computer 100. The software may be developed in any numberof conventional programming languages. In other embodiments, the userinterface instructions may be carried out by hard wired circuitry or acombination of circuitry and software.

The user interface described herein addresses the needs of theconventional art by presenting a user interface that allows callmanagement supporting the full functionality set forth by GSMinternational standards. Further, the combination of a graphical userinterface with touch screen capability permits a more efficient and userfriendly call management interface than available on conventionaldevices, particularly cellular phones.

While the detailed drawings, specific examples and particularformulations given describe exemplary embodiments, they serve thepurpose of illustration only. The hardware and user interfaceconfigurations shown and described may differ depending on the chosenperformance characteristics and physical characteristics of thecomputing devices. For example, the various buttons or icons describedabove that effect various call management options may be labeled invarious ways to indicate the option being selected. Further, the iconsor buttons may be located in different portions of display 14 dependingon the chosen user interface. The systems shown and described are notlimited to the precise details and conditions disclosed. Furthermore,other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplaryembodiments without departing from the scope of the invention asexpressed in the appended claims.

1. A portable electronic device, comprising: a housing; a processor supported by the housing; a memory coupled to the processor; a communications transceiver coupled to the processor, the transceiver configured to support voice conference calling between more than two parties; and a program stored in the memory and running on the processor, the program configured to provide a user interface on the display, the user interface configured to display indicators representative of the parties on the conference call, the user interface including a hold area of the display configured to display indicators representative of the parties on hold and an active area of the display configured to display indicators representative of the parties active on the conference call.
 2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes an icon configured to place at least one indicator representative of a party active on the conference call from the active area on hold.
 3. The portable electronic device of claim 2, wherein the at least one indicator representative of a party active on the conference call from the active area is moved to the hold area.
 4. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a call timer associated with the call indicators.
 5. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured to provide a plurality of user selectable options when a call is selected.
 6. The portable electronic device of claim 5, wherein the user selectable options includes a save to address book option.
 7. The portable electronic device of claim 5, wherein the user selectable options includes a private conversation option.
 8. The portable electronic device of claim 5, wherein the user selectable options includes a set redial reminder option.
 9. The portable electronic device of claim 5, wherein the user selectable options includes a disconnect call option.
 10. A method of managing a conference call on a handheld mobile telephone device, comprising: displaying to a user a screen including a new call option; initiating a first call at the request of a user; placing the first call on hold at the request of a user and placing an indicator representative of the first call in a hold section of the display; displaying to a user an available section of the display including a new call option; initiating a second call at the request of a user by selecting the new call option; and placing an indicator representative of the second call in an active section of the display.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: providing to a user a selectable option configured to swap the first call in the hold section with the second call in the active section.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the mobile telephone device is a handheld computer.
 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising: placing the calls in the active section on hold by selecting a hold option.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: selecting a new call option.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: placing a new call.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: selecting a conference option that effectuates the addition of the held calls to the new call.
 17. A user interface for a radio enabled handheld computer display screen, comprising: a first screen portion providing a first indicator representative of a first call of a conference call; a second screen portion providing a second indicator representative of a second call of a conference call; and a user selectable option that is configured to effectuate movement of at least one of the first indicator and the second indicator to the other of the first and second screen portion.
 18. The user interface of claim 17, wherein the first screen portion is representative of active calls.
 19. The user interface of claim 17, wherein the second screen portion is representative of held calls.
 20. The user interface of claim 17, wherein the first portion may contain indicators representative of up to four calls. 